Almost nine out of 10 nurses in England work when ill, survey finds

Almost nine out of 10 nurses come into work when ill, according to research that lays bare the intense pressures staff are under in the NHS.

Last year 85% of nurses still turned up for a shift at least once despite having issues such as stress, back pain, a cold, anxiety or depression.

Almost half (46%) did that between two and five times and almost one in five (19%) did so on more than five occasions, according to a Royal College of Nursing (RCN) survey of more than 11,000 members across the UK.

The numbers of nurses working through illness is also growing. Last year 85% did so, up from 77% in 2021.

Nurses feel impelled to work while sick to help plug gaps in rotas and ensure patients receive the best possible care, the RCN said.

Pat Cullen, the union’s general secretary and chief executive, said: “In desperate attempts to hold services together, more and more nursing staff are turning up to work whilst sick. They are sacrificing their own welfare to care for patients.

“These dedicated professionals shouldn’t have to sacrifice their health and wellbeing to prop up neglected services. But that is the daily reality, and it is patients who ultimately suffer.

“The stress and anxiety from trying to meet the needs of patients is forcing them to work whilst sick.”

The RCN’s biannual research into the state of the nursing profession also painted a picture of a workforce that is unhappy, overworked, downtrodden and increasingly frustrated about pay. It found that:

• Seventy-one per cent feel they are under too much pressure at work.

• Sixty-six per cent say they are too busy to give patients the ideal level of care.

• Forty-five per cent are planning to quit or considering doing so.

• Only two in five would recommend nursing as a career – and 21% regret becoming a nurse.

The NHS in England alone is short of 34,709 nurses, the most recent vacancy figures show.

Pay emerged as the biggest frustration. Almost nine out of 10 (88%) said a pay rise would make the most difference to them, far ahead of more flexible working hours (30%), more holidays (30%) and shorter hours (25%).

Many nurses are beset by money troubles. Some are opting out of their pension scheme to free up cash to help them through the cost of living crisis, while an inability to make ends meet is making 70% of nurses anxious or sleep-deprived, the RCN found.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “We hugely value the work of NHS nurses and remain committed to supporting the career development and wellbeing of all NHS staff.

“The most recent NHS staff survey showed improvements in morale and staff experience, and the rate of nursing vacancies in NHS trusts is at its lowest since records began in 2017.

“In addition, the NHS long-term workforce plan – backed by over £2.4bn government funding – will increase the number of nurses by up to 190,000 by 2036/37.”